Won the Triple Crown in 1934 when he led the American League in batting average (.363), home runs (49) and runs batted in (165).
Holds the record for most grand slams in a career with 23.
Hit 493 home runs in his career, setting the record for the most home runs hit by any first baseman in history until Mark McGwire recently hit 500.
Became the only player in history to drive in more than 500 runs in three years. He ushered in 174 runs in 1930, 184 in 1931 and 151 in 1932, for a total of 509.
Became the first athlete to have his number retired.
Was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. In light of his progressive illness, the usual two-year waiting period after a player retires was waived in Gehrig's case.
BIOGRAPHY:
The son of German immigrants, Gehrig was the only one of four children to survive.
Christina, his mom, was adamant that Gehrig receive a good education, so in 1921 he went to Columbia on a football scholarship to pursue a degree in engineering.
Before his first semester began, New York Giants manager John McGraw advised him to play summer professional baseball under an fake name, Henry Lewis. "Everyone does it," McGraw explained, even though the illegal ball playing could have jeopardized Gehrig's collegiate sports career
Lou was discovered and then he was banned from intercollegiate sport during his freshman year.
During his sophmore year he played on the columbia baseball team, and a scout for the Yankees saw him play and thought his hitting skills were so amazing that he signed him to the Yankees.
ACHIEVEMENTS
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- Hit four home runs in one game on June 3, 1932.
- Won the Triple Crown in 1934 when he led the American League in batting average (.363), home runs (49) and runs batted in (165).
- Holds the record for most grand slams in a career with 23.
- Hit 493 home runs in his career, setting the record for the most home runs hit by any first baseman in history until Mark McGwire recently hit 500.
- Became the only player in history to drive in more than 500 runs in three years. He ushered in 174 runs in 1930, 184 in 1931 and 151 in 1932, for a total of 509.
- Became the first athlete to have his number retired.
- Was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. In light of his progressive illness, the usual two-year waiting period after a player retires was waived in Gehrig's case.
BIOGRAPHY:- The son of German immigrants, Gehrig was the only one of four children to survive.
- Christina, his mom, was adamant that Gehrig receive a good education, so in 1921 he went to Columbia on a football scholarship to pursue a degree in engineering.
- Before his first semester began, New York Giants manager John McGraw advised him to play summer professional baseball under an fake name, Henry Lewis. "Everyone does it," McGraw explained, even though the illegal ball playing could have jeopardized Gehrig's collegiate sports career
- Lou was discovered and then he was banned from intercollegiate sport during his freshman year.
- During his sophmore year he played on the columbia baseball team, and a scout for the Yankees saw him play and thought his hitting skills were so amazing that he signed him to the Yankees.
General Facts: